Health Minister grilled over NHI copay policies
Health Minister Vincent Wheatley has faced tough questions in the House of Assembly regarding the National Health Insurance (NHI) copay policies as concerns mount over the system’s financial sustainability and its impact on residents.
Wheatley defended the current NHI structure while acknowledging the difficulties in funding healthcare services during the sitting. He admitted the system was under strain and suggested policy changes to ensure its long-term viability.
Wheatley explained that while the NHI provides coverage to residents, the government shoulders the cost for individuals who do not contribute to the system, particularly seniors and children. He pointed out that some beneficiaries opt for private healthcare services rather than using the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), which increases government spending.
“We have to pay for government-funded individuals when they access healthcare at private facilities, even though we are not receiving monies for their care,” he explained.
The minister noted that the NHI receives an annual government subvention of $42 million, but this amount has not been enough to keep the programme financially stable. “As of the end of October last year, the NHI paid $3 million for the care of government-funded individuals at private facilities,” Wheatley stated, stressing that such expenditures put a strain on public funds.
Proposed policy adjustments
To address these financial difficulties, the minister revealed plans to limit the use of NHI at private healthcare facilities for certain groups. “We will send forward a recommendation to have the legislation amended because those persons were not contributing, and NHI should not have to pay if they utilised the private facilities,” he told lawmakers.
The proposal would require government-funded individuals such as children and seniors to seek treatment exclusively at public healthcare facilities, reducing costs associated with private medical services.
Wheatley acknowledged that copayments remain a burden for many residents, particularly vulnerable groups, but maintained that reforms are necessary for the long-term sustainability of NHI. “It’s not just about the money. It’s about showing our community that we’re here for them in ways they might not expect,” he stated.
Lawmakers questioned whether the proposed policy adjustments would create barriers for residents seeking quality healthcare. They also expressed concerns about the capacity of public health facilities to accommodate an influx of patients if restrictions on private healthcare access were implemented.
Wheatley assured the House that discussions would continue to find a fair balance between cost management and maintaining access to care. “We must work together to find a balance that keeps the NHI sustainable and ensures that our people have access to the healthcare they need,” he concluded.
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Isn’t the answer to apply caps to what NHI will pay private providers? Everyone saw how much they pushed their prices up when NHI came in and it was published last year how many millions of dollars had been paid to certain individuals. Surely the answer is to stop that greed and pay private providers a reasonable rate rather than let them set the rates?
do our easily misled people and lawmakers with ulterior motives have the will to implement changes. We a man is eating good and you try to take awayy is food he is not going to let that go easily.And they have to power and the means to keep that power. The People have the ability and the power to change things but are easily distrafted and are not even aware of who the target is. NHI is a good case in point. Who is getting the blame for NHI ? The Minister,,, who is the real culprit ? The private provider , how many know that? practically none. Are the private providers coming forwrd and saying there are issues and we want to be part of the solution? No actually the opposite…they are trying to justify their position.
You ever hear more s**t? You are not insured, government is paying and you are deciding where you want to seek care? It does not work like that. If the Government is paying then you have to utilize a government facility unless it’s a matter above them and they refer you to a private facility. Things have run amok here for so long we no longer know wrong from right!!
@ Wow – Have you used the public service recently ?? I was having an asthma attack, went to the emergency and sat for more thank 2 hours before being attended and i was only attended to when I told the regitser clerk i was leaving.
Clinics you have to wait hours because noone coming in early.
I can go to the private clinic at 7 and be out in 20 minutes
I understand , you see the larger picture , you see us a a community that should help each other like back in the days , it is the ethical and moral thing to do. Unfortunately many of your detractors are ingrates they lack the ability to have empathy for others so here what you do . Run a DOGE on them . Get tough. Cut everything off . When their family members start dropping down in the street they will all of a sudden have a reversal ofthinking . Just like in the US when the Republican realize DOGE was impacting farmers in their communitites all f a sudden it was ok lets slow dowm. That is simple human traits .Man will forever be selfish .
“He admitted the system was under strain and suggested policy changes to ensure its long-term viability.” <– Same people had a $20mn hole in last years HR Budget are going to put together some policy changes to fix this problem?
What about the employers who collect NHI and don’t pay into NHI.
what starts wrong ends wrong, you ministers put nhi in place but didn’t have a law against the health care providers jacking up their fees, how is it that an eye exam at *** went from 50 dollars to 250 dollars that is robbery
eye exam at t00la ya vi cio n cen ter went from 50 to 250
An eye exam should not be at $250.00. Travel overseas to Puerto Rico and you get it for $39.00. Travel UK and I believe it is cheaper still. I do not care for my eyes on island as it is too expensive. I travel overseas for health care. A simple flu is what I will use my NHI for in the BVI at the moment. The co pay is too high for health care in the BVI. The lab tests are too expensive and prescription medication.
Time to stop the leak of course. NHI was designed to play straight into the private medical pratitioners hands, corruption from inception.
Not surprising that this was a very flawed and unsustainable play but by now many would have become millionaires.
Time to make the thing make sense now. The excesses that were paid to the private sector can now be used to improve the public health care facilities etc.
The government has no call running any national insurance, our population is too small given that seniors and children under 18 are exempted. When Ronnie Skelton them implement this NHI they saw it as a second social security, they expected millions to come in and didn’t foresee it over running its allocated funds EVERY YEAR. Now ever since then nobody wants to scrap it, they every year complain its not working and nobody has a solution for it. just kicking this useless can down the road every year. I blame Ronnie Skelton for this whole NHI mess
Making kids and elderly pay and unable to get professional medical attention is not the answer. Makes no sense if me and my child have the flue I could go eureka and then take my child to peebles. Strupeess. Come better than that control the damn cap and done. Tell the service provider you are only paying a percentage of a limit for doctor visits, procedures etc etc it isn’t that hard…let them compete and force them to lower their prices they raping the country enough mon!